Ive had a hard time playing with mandolin snapped picks like the CT-55. While I love the sound I have grip issues where it slides around and out of the best position. I've tried the "special grip" that is often discussed here and used my many (most?) of the pros, but I have problems with it. #1 is that I cant match the single note speed I get when I use guitar style hold at the end of the finger/thumb. #2 is that the tip of the pick just doesn't seem quite long enough, and I often am bashing the fingernail of my index finger into the string as well as the pick. After a show or jam the nail would be worn down and ragged.
I'm gonna hold onto my triangle picks and practice the "mandolin grip," all the pros and MC people cannot be wrong. But in the meantime I found a pick that is workg great for me.
John Pearse Fast Turtle Medium 2.5mm with dimple.
I bought this at Joe Val fest this year, used it for my performance at the showcase, then put it away and didn't look at it for many months. Now that I've found it again, I can't put it down, and the triangle picks feel very bad. The JP pick has a lopsided guitar pick profile, but is very thick with a dimple that makes it easy to hold and maintain proper orientation. Being at the end of my fingertips, I can play faster, cleaner, and with more power than the other way. Since the tip is longer, it keeps my fingertips and nails from bashing the strings. Even though the point of the pick is pointy, I can get a nice tremolo out of it. I think the material (casian?) has a great sound, similar to blue chip, much better than a Tortex or Ultex guitar pick.
Sorry to gush, but this thing has given me a turbo boost, and may be worth a try for anyone who just isn't getting comfortable with the current mando-pick tech and methods.
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